Fire Road and single track, difficulty ranges from
"take the kids" to "see the face of God and piss yourself as He turns you and your aluminum steed into
a sticky red ball..." Skeggs is also known as El Corte
de Madera OSP. the terrain is 2nd growth redwood forest
surrounding some supurb single track and some awesome
Kamakaze down hills. if you just want to do a quick
8 mile loop Skeggs'll have something just for you.
If you want a multimile vomitfest all you need to do
is link a couple of loops together. Single track lovers should be sure to check out: Fir trail, Manzanita trail, Giant salamander trail, Resolution
trail. And an evil, nasty faceplant waiting to happen,
called "Nose Break" (this track is unmarked however it is leagal as of this writing 1/2/99) ask someone
at the trailhead where this litte ass bite is located,
if said person is bleeding, he probably knows.
As for you fire road lovers you need to try: Timberview trail, (high speed and big woop de woops make for some geat fun in the air) Gordon mill trail
is cool to- BUT - it leads directly to the bottom of
Timberview, which unless you're Ned Overend, or like pain, and lactic acid build up, is better downhill.
other good fireroads include, Tifoni trail, the first
halves of Fir trail, Methuselah trail and El Corte
Madera Trail. you can obtain a trail map at the trail
head for no charge. Helmets are manditory and the speed limit is 15 mph. on weekends and nice days watch out for hikers, horses and park rangers

From San Fransisco: Run down I-280 to 92 west, take 92-west to skyline blvd. turn onto southbound skyline for about ten miles. Skeggs point is the vista point,on the left hand side of the road. (You'll recognize it by the long rock retaining wall.) DO NOT TURN LEFT INTO THE PARKING LOT FROM S. BOUND SKYLINE THIS IS ILLEGAL, AND ON WEEKENDS USUALLY THERE IS A BAD ASSCOP JUST WAITING FOR SOME POOR SLOB, FAT TIRE DIRT MONKEY TO MAKE THAT ILLEGAL LEFT TURN, DRIVE DOWN SKYLINE FOR A QUARTER MILE AND USE THE TURNOUT TO FLIP A BITCH. (there is also limited parking at said turnout so you can access the southern area of the park.)

Summary:So this this summary comes from a very inexperienced rider. I've only been to China Camp, Arestradero, and some spot in the Oakland Hills. From what I know now, I guess those are considered beginner rides.

I've heard so much from my friends about this place and wanted to try it out. But my issue was that with all of those previous places, I used my hybrid Cannondale Quick CX3. Hey... it did the job, and I never had any issues. My friends warned me that my bike would not be able to hang at Skeggs. Once I had the opportunity to use my friends bike I was ready for the challenge.

When we got there, we started at the other entrance to the trial which was about .25 miles on the right going down Skyline.

The first part of the ride was going up the Sierra Morena trail which was a nice climb to start the ride. This killed me as I wasn't ready to just start going up a freekin hill. There was a good reason for taking this route though and will explain later.

Next we went on ECDM... I think this is where it got all crazy and had a crap load of downhills that seemed as if it went on forever! Oh man... and there were tons of places to jump off of these bumps, stumps, etc. This was the best time I've ever had!

But, that saying "what goes down, must go up" came into play, it was game over. My inexperience led me to walk a lot of the uphill. I tried my hardest but it didn't work. A part of it may have been because I was riding my friends bike which may have not fit me as best as possible.

That being said, I'd do it all over again. Having to walk up that hill was worth it, and just when you are finished back at Sierra Morena, you end the ride going down that first hill you climbed.

One word for this place... SICK

Sooner of later I'll be able to ride all the way up. I just hope it's sooner.

Oh the aerobic/technical/overall ratings below are based on my experience of the other riders that went along with me. They had no problem with the ride at all, and always had to wait for me.

Summary:Skeggs, I love you. I also hate you a little too. Your trails beautiful, cool, and shady. Your single track is exhilarating and challenging. At times, that exhilaration is actually outright fear (I know you are trying to kill me) but I guess I am cool with that. Your trails are often perfectly tacky, but covered with rocks, roots and ruts. Oh, can I take that hit? Yea, but my landing ramp is a bunch of huge roots and rocks. Oops! I should know better, I know I have to be careful with you.

And I can tell you want me to be in good shape, which is real thoughtful of you. Your climbs are everywhere, and it keeps me on my toes. But COME ON. Why do you make me climb out like that? I spent hours with you and you brutalize me with a mile long death march on my way home. What is your freaking problem, anyway?

Sorry, sorry, it's OK. I'll see you tomorrow. But I am bringing more pads.

Summary:This trail is a lot of fun! You can do a 1 hour loop for the beginners or an all day epic ride. Just make sure to not climb up the FIR. lol You want to descend on that not climb it. It's very steep. Make sure to bring a map or a friend that is familiar with the trail. It can get overwhelming for the newer riders. No need to bring your Full Suspension bike. I ride this trail on my AM-HT with no problem.

single track
fire road
ruts
roots
rock garden
small drops

Recommended Route:FIR, Manzanita, Resolution & Giant Salamander

Other recommended trails in the same area:Saratoga Gap to Steven's Canyon and back to Table Mountain to S-Gap.

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Summary:Incredible EPIC altering mood ride that will leave a smile on your face just thinking about it. Highly recommend not to ride a hard tail & not to do it alone, if you could find yourself in jam! Most fun I've had in a long long time! Check out FIR & Resolution, maps available right there.

Recommended Route:FIR, Manzanita and Resolution!

Other recommended trails in the same area:Pacifica's Boyscout

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